American Spaces Support Funds Program

The American Spaces Support Funds Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Harare, specifically its Public Diplomacy Section. This program is part of the broader Educational and Cultural Exchanges funding stream and is designed to support public diplomacy initiatives that strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and Zimbabwe. The opportunity focuses on supporting the American Corner Gweru, a collaborative public space operated jointly by the U.S. Embassy and the Gweru Memorial Public Library. The funding is issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Embassy maintains substantial involvement in program design, oversight, and evaluation. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to identify a qualified Zimbabwean organization to manage and implement programming at the American Corner Gweru. Activities must incorporate an American cultural component and demonstrate a clear connection to U.S. institutions, experts, or values. The program aims to enhance understanding of American society, policy, and perspectives while advancing U.S. foreign policy goals. Proposed programming areas include technology access, entrepreneurship training, innovation-focused events, sports programming, and cultural initiatives. The program also commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, encouraging themes such as American history, free speech, and innovation. Funding for this opportunity is limited, with approximately $14,000 available for a single award. Individual awards are expected to range between $10,000 and $14,000, with a performance period of 12 to 18 months. Projects must be completed within 18 months and are expected to begin within 45 days of award notification. Allowable costs include personnel, travel, supplies, equipment, and contracted services, provided they directly support program objectives. However, restrictions prohibit funding for construction, direct social services, political activities, religious programming, fundraising campaigns, and other non-allowable activities such as scientific research or commercial ventures. Cost sharing is not required for this program. Eligibility is limited to Zimbabwean non-profit organizations, including civil society organizations and think tanks. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded, although partnerships with subcontractors are permitted if the primary applicant remains a qualifying non-profit. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov. Only one application per organization is permitted. Projects must target Zimbabwean audiences, particularly youth, emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and civil society actors, with activities conducted within Zimbabwe. The application process requires submission of multiple mandatory forms, including the SF-424 series, a detailed budget, and a proposal narrative not exceeding five pages. The proposal must include a summary, organizational background, problem statement, program design, timeline, personnel details, and a monitoring and evaluation plan. Additional required documentation includes proof of non-profit status, registration documents, and resumes for key personnel. Applications must be submitted via email or Grants.gov by August 2, 2026, at 1700 CAT. Applicants may request application materials through the provided embassy email contact. Applications are evaluated based on a structured review process that considers program quality, organizational capacity, implementation feasibility, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. Each criterion is assigned a weighted score, with the highest emphasis placed on program design and organizational capability. The review process includes eligibility screening, technical evaluation, and potential risk assessment, including financial stability and compliance history. Applicants are typically notified within 120 days after the deadline. Following award selection, recipients must comply with extensive reporting and administrative requirements, including quarterly program and financial reports and final reports within 120 days of project completion. The Embassy plays an active role throughout implementation, including approving budgets, monitoring progress, and ensuring alignment with U.S. government priorities. This cooperative structure ensures that funded projects maintain high standards of accountability while effectively promoting U.S.–Zimbabwe engagement through impactful public diplomacy programming.

Align program clearly with U.S. foreign policy priorities; demonstrate strong monitoring and evaluation framework; provide detailed and realistic budget justification; ensure proposal includes measurable outcomes